Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #4830 in DVD
• Released on: 2001-06-11
• Rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
• Aspect ratio: 2.35:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Formats: PAL, Widescreen
• Original language: English
• Subtitled in: English
• Number of discs: 1
• Running time: 110 minutes

Amazon.co.uk Review
Story? What story? All a film like Shanghai Noon needs is the amazing stunt set pieces featuring kung fu superstar Jackie Chan and the ramblings of Owen Wilson (and to be sure, that's all it gets). It's a buddy comedy about Roy O'Bannon (Wilson), a minor, borderline incompetent desperado, and Chon Wang (Chan--Roy thinks he hears (and scoffs at) the name "John Wayne"--a member of the Chinese Imperial Guard searching for a kidnapped princess (Lucy Liu). They become reluctant partners in the Old West (Roy, who considers Chon his sidekick, is hurt to discover that the bounty on Wang's head is more than his own), brawling, drinking, bathing and bonding and in general having mildly amusing adventures together, while eluding a posse and other random enemies.

There's not a lot of focus to the plot or much motivation for characters to turn up where and when they do--just what was achieved by the much-discussed trek to Carson City, anyway?--but Chan's inventively staged battle sequences (particularly an early one in which he uses flexible, resilient trees to best some Crow Indians) are predictable highlights. You'll wish there were more to some of them, but as with his many other films, you'll want them on video to watch in slow-motion to see how he pulls them off. And in a potentially star-making role, Wilson's loquacious, hyper-self-conscious meanderings--he's funny even when his lines aren't--make him seem less like a character than a very amusing deconstruction of one. Chan and Wilson are entertaining together, even though they're both off in their own little worlds. Think of it as Butch Cassidy and the Shanghai Kid, and you won't be too far off. --David Kronke, Amazon.com

Synopsis
An action-comedy with a decidedly Western twist, SHANGHAI NOON features astounding acrobatics from superstar Jackie Chan. Chong Wang (Chan) is a dedicated member of the Chinese Imperial Guard. When the emperor's former captain, Lo Fong (Roger Yuan), oversees an illegal operation that involves kidnapping Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Liu) and bringing her to America's wild West, it's up to Chong to save the day. Eventually partnering with outlaw Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson), Chong uses his Eastern skills to face Western conflicts. SHANGHAI NOON is an action-packed comedy with great chemistry between stars Chan and Wilson.

From the Back Cover
Jackie Chan plays Chinese Imperial Guard Chon Wang who hightails it to the wild and woolly West to rescue the beautiful kidnapped Princess Pei Pei ( Lucy Liu). When he meets up with laidback outlaw cowboy dude, Roy O'Bannon ( Owen Wilson) the two become the best mismatch ever made in the rough and tumble Old West. The two face jail, brawls, bordellos and the vilest villains ever. Spectacular stunts, outrageous irreverence and epic vistas reign as East meets West in a battle for honour, royalty and a fortune in gold.

Customer Reviews

what a pair!
.
This is a superb film. With a classically simple story line (our hero goes to rescue the beautiful princess from her captors) the film puts together the most unlikely pair in a kung fu/western/buddy movie.
Jackie Chan is obvious for this role as an imperial guard on a mission, but who ever came up with the idea of using Owen Wilson as the most un-menacing, laid back desperado (?!?!) the west has ever seen, is a genious. They make the ultimate odd-couple and without a doubt, no-one else could have played this part as well.

There is plenty of humour throughout, mainly delivered from the mis-matched heroes and of course there are plenty of good quality Jackie Chan fight scenes which always supply a gasp of wonder and a giggle on top.

The DVD also has a reasonable selection of extras including the failed stunt out-takes.

This is an all round good film, worth every penny.

A fun-filled action-packed Jackie Chan-Owen Wilson western
"Shanghai Noon" is a five star film when judged by its enjoyability and not by more presumptuous artistic standards. But in a world were so many movies fail big time and fall short of their potential there is ample reason to celebrate a fun movie like this one. Besides, when it comes to martial arts films it is clear to me that Jackie Chan is a perfect combination of the athleticism of Gene Kelly with the ability of Fred Astaire to work with whatever is laying about the location. Seriously, think about it; Chan doing a fight sequence with elk antlers just like Astaire dancing with a hat rack.

The point of the plot is to get Jackie Chan's character, Chon Wang, into the Wild West of the Nevada frontier in 1881. Princess Pei Pei (Lucy Lui) of the Imperial Court becomes the victim of a kidnapping plot and is taken to the United States. Three warriors are sent to deliver the ransom, along with a royal interpreter; Chon Wang tags along to carry the baggage. Unfortunately the train on which the Chinese are traveling is the target of wannabee outlaw Roy O'Bannon (Owen Wilson) and his inept gang. The two become partners in rescuing the princess, although Roy is more interested in the gold. Consequently the plot is a model of predictability but serves its purpose of getting us from one amazing fight sequence to the next.

The pairing of Chan and Wilson is similar to that of Chan and Chris Tucker in the "Rush Hour" movies, contrasting Chan's halting English with an ultra-verbal co-star. But there is a significant difference in that Wilson is more low keyed in his verbosity, making for what I think is a better contrast. The point that I knew this movie was really going to work was when Chon comes across Roy buried up to his neck in the sand. Instead of digging Roy out of the hole, Chon simply gives him a pair of chopsticks and suggests Roy dig himself out. Of course, Roy does, which is important because it gives the character credibility for holding his own, at least on some level, with Chon, which he certainly does in their first fight scene together. More importantly, they are both fish out of water when it comes to the Wild West.

Jackie Chan's creativity in fight sequences is astounding and setting the action in a Western gives it an added vitality. However, Chan also has an opportunity to do some "real" acting in this film with several early scenes that require emotional responses. Across the board this may well be Chan's best performance. There are also references to at least two dozen westerns, from the attempt to blow open a safe on a train from "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid" to a villain being named Van Cleef just liked the actor who played the "bad" guy in "The Good, The Bad, and the Ugly." These assorted homages, nudges, and winks to past westerns is just part of the general sense of joy that permeates this film (and give you something to do when you watch the film a second time). "Shanghai Noon" is just a fun film that avoids insulting the intelligence of its audience. We need more movies like this one (which explains the recent sequel).

Good laugh for the family
Jackie Chan and Owen Wilson star in this funny film.

China the forbidden city, a princess is kidnapped. She is taken to America, and forced to work as a slave.
Chon Wang (Jackie Chan)is one of the imperial guard in the forbidden city. He goes along on a rescue mission to save the princess before it is too late.

Roy O'Bannan is a cowboy who robs trains.
All he wants is money.

These two come together to create a funny pair!! Great dvd.
Every time i watch it i get great laughs out of it!